She liked seeing herself through Crew’s eyes. She got the feeling that he actually appreciated that she was so outspoken.
The moment slowed as the air took on a charge of energy. Arden was keenly aware that the two of them were alone. She didn’t know how Crew could pass himself off as not being exciting. He was the most thrilling man she’d ever been around. His eyes took on a smolder as he scooted closer. Her breath caught as her pulse bumped up several notches. Was she ready to kiss him? This was happening fast. She wanted a whirlwind romance, but at the same time, she wanted something lasting. Was Crew the type of guy who would get bored with her if she made things too easy for him? He was so charming and charismatic that she got the impression that he’d broken many hearts. She didn’t want to be another number.
“I don’t know how much help I can be with the Carmel research part of your book, but if you need any help with the romance, I’m happy to oblige.” He caressed the curve of her jaw with the side of his finger, rippling pleasure through her. “I’m glad our paths crossed,” he murmured. His fingers trailed lightly down her arm, igniting her cells.
He leaned closer, his eyes roving over her with a hunger that stoked an aching yearning in her. Her lips parted instinctively as her breath came faster. He leaned in. Thankfully, before their lips could connect, her good sense took over. She placed her index finger on the center of his lips.
His eyes widened in surprise.
“No kissing tonight,” she said gently. “We need to get to know one another better first.” Oh, how she hated saying those words. Her head argued that she’d acted wisely, but her traitorous body longed to be held in his arms. She wanted to discover the taste of his lips … to run her fingers through his thick mop of blond hair. She wanted to be consumed by him. Wow. That was good. She needed to put those words down on paper … err, her computer screen before they flew out of her head.
He drew back as if disappointed, a tight smile winding over his lips. “That’s what you call a crash and burn.”
She laughed in surprise. “No, it’s called being sensible. You’re way too charming for your own good.”
“Nah,” he winked. “I’m just your everyday, average architectural consultant.”
She gave him a reproving look. “Uh, no. I don’t buy that for one minute. We may be just getting to know one another, but I’m no idiot. You, Crew Bronson, are a Casanova. And no matter how enchanting and handsome you are, I’m going to do the sensible thing and protect my heart.”
Amusement overtook his expression. “Sensibility is overrated.”
“Not in my book.”
A resplendent smile waffled over his lips. “You are the author. I guess you’ll have to be the one who decides how our story will end.”
“I guess you’re right.” She pressed her lips together, studying him. “We’ll start by going sailing in the morning … and then we’ll see.”
CHAPTER 7
Sailing with Crew was everything Arden had hoped for and more. He’d been trepidatious at first, but as the day wore on, he was becoming remarkably relaxed … almost as if he’d sailed his entire life. He’d removed his life jacket and was sitting near where she was working the sail, his long legs stretched out with his ankles crossed. His arm was draped casually over the railing of the boat, his face angled toward the wind. He certainly looked the part in swim trunks, a t-shirt, docksider shoes, and sunglasses. His blonde hair flopped happily in the wind. He could’ve easily passed for a movie star. Arden couldn’t help but swoon a little.
“I could get used to this,” he said, throwing her a sparkling smile.
“You’re a fast learner,” she said loudly so that her voice would carry over the wind. Directing Crew to help, she’d managed to get the main and head sails positioned so that they caught the wind at a good angle, propelling them forward. Arden never ceased to be amazed at the sheer power of the wind. Crew had followed her instructions to the letter, as if he’d done the motions a thousand times before. It had been fascinating to watch how he moved with such fluidity and grace.
They sailed full speed over the water for a good twenty minutes. Arden thought the speed might unnerve Crew, but he seemed to be enjoying every second. Finally, Arden shifted the sails so that the boat slowed its pace. “I thought we’d relax a bit and enjoy the sun.” The briny taste of salt on her tongue reminded her of home. She’d forgotten how much she missed being out on the water.
“Sounds good to me.”
Arden moved over and sat down directly across from Crew. Her leg brushed his in the process, sending tremors of awareness over her skin. She stretched out and turned her face to the bright yellow coin shimmering in the azure sky. There were a few spindly clouds lurking in the distance, making her wonder if it might rain. Hopefully, they’d be safely back on land long before then.
Her phone rang. She pulled it out of her back pocket and looked at the screen. It was Jenna. She’d called twice already this morning. Arden probably should’ve answered it, but she’d been too busy familiarizing herself with the ins and outs of the sailboat so she could navigate them away from the dock and out to sea without hitting the pier or another boat. Even though she’d bragged to Crew about her sailing skills the night before, it had been a few years since she’d actually been sailing. Thankfully, everything came back quickly, boosting her confidence.
He peered over his sunglasses, his sapphire eyes dancing with amusement. “I would say,you should get that, but I’m getting the impression that you don’t like answering your phone.”
“I’m not a secretary,” she fired back with a grin. “It can go to voicemail.” She liked bantering with Crew. He brought out her feisty side. Oh, who was she kidding? Her feisty side was with her more often than not.
She hit the side button to silence the ringing and shoved the phone back into her pocket. They’d gone far enough out to be the only vessel. The water was an endless sea of polished glass as far as the eye could see. “Are you getting hungry?”
Crew sat up. “I am.” He threw her a boyish grin. “Want me to bring us to a complete stop?” Before she could answer, he arose and turned the sails a full one hundred and eighty degrees into the wind, where they came to an abrupt halt. The movement was so sudden and unexpected that Arden yelped as she clutched the boat. Her stomach hurled like it had dropped ten stories.
“W—what the heck was that?” she demanded.
A boyish grin tugged at his lips. “I saw that in a movie once and have always wanted to try it.”
She sputtered out a giggle. “O—kay. For someone afraid of the water, you certainly seem to be getting the hang of things quickly.”
“It’s because you’re such a good teacher,” he quipped, his handsome face radiating innocence.
